Every genre has its definitive actors, those who are associated by their persona
or simply by the number of films in which they appear. In that regard, film noir
is not much different. Humphrey Bogart, Robert Mitchum, Glenn Ford and Robert Ryan
easily come to mind when discussing film noir. Not only did each have a lengthy
resume in noir, they also developed the unique persona of the genre. But there are
plenty of contradictions and misconceptions. One unique aspect of film noir is
that it encompassed a defined period of time in which the evolution of the genre
and the influence it played in actors careers can be traced.

Many film noirs of the 1940s tended to be “A” list offerings. As such, the actors
who played in them were usually known commodities drawn from the studio’s contract
roles. But it was also a time when film noir played a defining role in the careers
of many fledgling actors. It’s remarkable the number of actors whose careers
were launched in film noir and went on to became major film stars. The first Hollywood
film appearances of Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Richard Widmark, Yul Brynner and
Charlton Heston were in film noir. Glenn Ford, Ava Gardner, Alan Ladd and Rita
Hayworth had breakthrough roles in film noir after struggling in Hollywood. For
Hayworth and Ford it would come in the noir, Gilda. Fred MacMurray, ostensibly known
for romantic comedies, was salient playing dark characters in multiple noirs. While
James Cagney was king of Warner Bros. Gangsters of the 30s, he was not much of a
factor in film noir. Lancaster, Douglas and Heston would come to define the virile
leading men of their generation but in film noir they portrayed rather weak individuals,
easily influenced by women. Such are the nuances you find in the genre.

Of course an actor’s studio affiliation had as much to do with their exposure to
film noir as anything other factor. But that tended to change by the early 1950s
as the studios cut cost and production. Film noir became increasingly the province
of low budget B-film productions. It was also a time when independent producers
had an abundance of available actors, those cut loose by the studio’s newfound austerity.
Actors who became stars in early film noir moved on to bigger and better things which
meant lower tier actors were able to get roles that otherwise might not have been
available, but there were exceptions. Glenn Ford continued to star in film noirs
into the 1960s at Columbia where he was under contract. It would also be a source
of work for some whose careers had seen better days; George Raft, Mickey Rooney and
even Joan Crawford. After 20 years of singing and dancing, Ginger Rodgers appeared
in three noirs in the mid 50s playing some tough broads. But it would be the second
tier actors who would make up the core of film noir throughout the 1950s. Mainstream
supporting actors like Edmund O’Brien, Charles McGraw, Barry Sullivan and Dennis
O’Keefe found leading roles in the B-noirs. This was also a fortuitous time for
Sterling Hayden who could find work anytime he needed a paycheck. See prominent
film noir actor profiles HERE.

Father (and mother) were killers

Four All-American parents from television iconic family shows; Fred MacMurray -
My Three Sons, Brian Keith -Family Affair, Hugh Beaumont - Leave It To Beaver and
Jane Wyatt -Father Knows Best, but each played a killer in film noir.

For actresses, film noir offered limited roles. Playing a strong women in noir
usually meant you were a femme fatale or worse yet, a murderer. Against that would
be the dames, broads and just plain losers. On the other hand there was no prerequisite
for beauty queens in noir roles as this was a genre about hard reality, for the most
part devoid of glamour. You are more apt to find beauty in the bimbo girlfriends
of mobsters than anywhere else in noir. Still, there were opportunities for beauties
like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner to have substantial roles. But for the most part
it was average looking women like Jane Greer, Gloria Graham, Evelyn Keyes, and Audrey
Totter that defined noir. They had a sultry allure that proclaimed their badness.

The women who chose to play in film noir were able to make their mark even if there
was a lack of

peer recognition. Playing a femme fatale in noir provided an opportunity to make
an impression that

resonated with audiences. Even though she had been long forgotten, Ann Savage’s
obituary was

widely reported because of the impact she made with her performance as a femme fatale
in Detour.

Similarly Jane Greer left an indelible image as Kathie Moffat in Out Of The Past
notwithstanding an

otherwise undistinguished career.

Barbara Stanwyck was one of the only top actresses who played in noir for most of
its duration and

was credible. Joan Crawford won an Academy Award for her performance in Mildred
Pierce

(a marginal noir at best) but in later film noir roles she was ridiculously miscast.
And Betty Davis,the tough dame you would expect to perfect for film noir was a
no show.

Fred MacMurrayDouble Indemnity

Hugh BeaumontBury Me Dead

Brian KeithNightfall

Jane WyattThe Man Who Cheated Himself

What film noir lacked in star power it made up with a roster of character actors.
Few people would recognize them by name but the bit parts and occasionally featured
roles they played were a crucial element in creating the the atmosphere that was
unique to film noir. The reoccurring appearance of so many gives the impression
of a repertory company at work but it was an aspect that con- tributed to defining
the genre. They tended to play specific types, be it cops, gangsters or any other
character germane to the story.

By the late 50s as film noir faded, most of these actors found steady work in television
while many former “A” list actors lacked for work as the studio system evolved.

Jack LordThe True Story of Lynn Stuart

Lorne GreeneTight Spot

As the studio system was changing in the 1950s, actors who no longer were considered
stars found work in film noir. These actresses who had been leading ladies in comedies
and musicals of the 30s and 40s now found themselves in the unglamorous world of
noir.

Nancy DavisShadow on the Wall

Claudette ColbertThe Secret Fury

Dorothy LamourManhandled

Paulette GoddardVice Squad

Ginger RogersTight Spot

What are they doing in film noir?

A number of actors who appeared in film noir became well known for other things.
Lucille Ball became the icon of comedy but in the Dark Corner she was deadly serious.
Nancy Davis became Mrs. Ronald Reagan and First Lady. Jack Lord, Lorne Greene
and Angela Lansbury each played killers in film noir but went on to star on television
in three of that medium’s most popular shows ever. Doris Day, Marilyn Monroe and
Yul Brynner became major film stars.

Lucille BallThe Dark Corner

Noir Actors

No place for a lady

Real characters

Raymond Burr

F.B.I. Girl

Berry Kroeger

The Dark Past

Dan DuryeaManhandled

Neville BrandKansas City Confidential

A heartless, evil person is usually at the heart of every noir story. While there
was ample violence dished out by assorted thugs and henchmen, the heavies in noir
would just as likely be a scoundrel, blackmailer or other sleazy type. And don’t
forget females could be just as deadly in noir without every pulling a trigger. Certain
actors became adept at playing people you love to hate. Unlike today's films where
the degree of violence defines the villain, in noir it was more sophisticated. While
Raymond Burr was noir’s most prolific and violent villain, other heavies dished out
their share of beatings. But violence wasn’t the only means of getting what you
wanted in noir. Extortion, double-dealing and frame-ups were just as effective and
the specialty of characters played by the likes of Dan Duryea, George MacCready
and Berry Kroeger. Their methods were generally not violent but they could generate
as much antipathy as if they were cold blooded killers. Perhaps that’s because these
are the type of schemers one might encounter in real life.

Repeat offenders

Jack Lambert

99 River Street

Thomas Gomez

The Sellout

George MacCready

The Big Clock

Mike MazurkiMan In The Vault

Yul BrynnerThe Port of New York

Marilyn Monroe

The Asphalt Jungle

Doris Day

Julie

Anglela Lansbury

Please Murder Me

Violent men

Schemers

Marc LawrenceThe Asphalt Jungle

James FlavinConflict

Barry KelleyThe Undercover Man

A most average looking Cathy O’Donnell had featured roles in six film noirs playing
the type of woman you would expect to find in such circumstances in real life

Jack Web and Vince Edwards each played serious bad guys in film noir. Yet they went
on to star in popular television shows playing

esteemed characters. In a bit of irony, Webb murders his future Dragnet partner,
Harry Morgan in 1951’s Appointment With Danger. Before saving lives as Doctor Ben
Casey, Edwards was taking them, playing vicious killers in three noirs.